All About Watches

That ‘38 nice. Much better than the Vertex version.

Vertex prices are crazy, considering they're just a reimagined brand, from the grandson and haven't been in continuous operation. But in saying that, the watches look a cut above the likes of Eddie Platts offerings. But as a boutique brand that could be bought out or go at any moment, you'd be taking a risk.

Any guesses as to Boris Johnson's watch:
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Boris watch ?

Sekonda

I see a lot of speculation on that. I thought it might be Piaget, but turns out it's a Pulsar:

 
I see a lot of speculation on that. I thought it might be Piaget, but turns out it's a Pulsar:

So a dress watch that is a Japanese Quartz. Sensible.

He does not seem the type that obsesses about watches.
 
Fixed that for you!

He's a scruffy one alright. As I've said before if you're going to slum it, you need to go slightly ruffled louche aristo-casual in the style of Peter O'Toole. As a politician you can't go that route. Especially in these hyper-focused and displayed times.

What does the watch say about him: a certain nonchalance, I don't give a fig about expectations or lavish displays of wealth and privilege?

Here's a scenario: You're a junior civil servant or SpAd and you have your expensive luxury watch on, be it whatever, and you have your first meeting with Boris. You walk in ready to give a bit of flash of wrist porn and then you see his watch is a fifty quid Pulsar, you're reaction is naturally, I'm going to keep my watch to myself under my cuffs. This be the first lesson.
 
He's a scruffy one alright. As I've said before if you're going to slum it, you need to go slightly ruffled louche aristo-casual in the style of Peter O'Toole. As a politician you can't go that route. Especially in these hyper-focused and displayed times.

What does the watch say about him: a certain nonchalance, I don't give a fig about expectations or lavish displays of wealth and privilege?

Here's a scenario: You're a junior civil servant or SpAd and you have your expensive luxury watch on, be it whatever, and you have your first meeting with Boris. You walk in ready to give a bit of flash of wrist porn and then you see his watch is a fifty quid Pulsar, you're reaction is naturally, I'm going to keep my watch to myself under my cuffs. This be the first lesson.
He’s not worried about status symbols and he probably does not have the spare cash anyway. He has a lot of expenses. His car is a bit of a cluttered old banger too - well-used rather than highly polished. Maybe he could have got a steel Pulsar rather than gold tone.
 
He’s not worried about status symbols and he probably does not have the spare cash anyway. He has a lot of expenses. His car is a bit of a cluttered old banger too - well-used rather than highly polished. Maybe he could have got a steel Pulsar rather than gold tone.

Indeed, as if often the case, the more you earn, the less you personally seem to have.
 
He’s not worried about status symbols and he probably does not have the spare cash anyway. He has a lot of expenses. His car is a bit of a cluttered old banger too - well-used rather than highly polished. Maybe he could have got a steel Pulsar rather than gold tone.

Hold on, this is a guy who said a £250,000 second salary was chicken feed.

Johnson doesn't give a fuck about watches obviously, he doesn't give a fuck about dressing smartly either. This is likely, I suspect down to a sense of entitlement.
 
Hold on, this is a guy who said a £250,000 second salary was chicken feed.

Johnson doesn't give a fuck about watches obviously, he doesn't give a fuck about dressing smartly either. This is likely, I suspect down to a sense of entitlement.

Many people of wealth and power don't care about watches or dressing smartly. We can't really hold that against him.

Unlike his rivals he does hold a proper Classics degree. So he's put effort in as a student. He has a healthy disregard towards PPE as the light weight choice. Cameron anyone?

He has published bona fide, if not weighty tomes, several books, that has put him ahead of the pamphleteer level Corbyn.

Entitlement? I'm not convinced, I think he's a product of his education and that means he doesn't real give too much of a hoot what others think. At least at the level of those who are not players at the possible historical level.

He was Mayor of London and quite successful.

Despite all of the above, he still comes across as the class clown and his soundbites rather shallow e.g. yesterday's UK as the windmill equivalent of Saudi Arabia. No substance at all on the technological endeavor.

Someone of his background, really should have some presence which he does, but not at the charismatic level as a leader of the country, there's something shallow and curiously lacking about him. Perhaps, after all, the Pulsar watch is the ideal choice for him.
 
Many people of wealth and power don't care about watches or dressing smartly. We can't really hold that against him.

Unlike his rivals he does hold a proper Classics degree. So he's put effort in as a student. He has a healthy disregard towards PPE as the light weight choice. Cameron anyone?

He has published bona fide, if not weighty tomes, several books, that has put him ahead of the pamphleteer level Corbyn.

Entitlement? I'm not convinced, I think he's a product of his education and that means he doesn't real give too much of a hoot what others think. At least at the level of those who are not players at the possible historical level.

He was Mayor of London and quite successful.

Despite all of the above, he still comes across as the class clown and his soundbites rather shallow e.g. yesterday's UK as the windmill equivalent of Saudi Arabia. No substance at all on the technological endeavor.

Someone of his background, really should have some presence which he does, but not at the charismatic level as a leader of the country, there's something shallow and curiously lacking about him. Perhaps, after all, the Pulsar watch is the ideal choice for him.
You can call it what you like. Boundless confidence comes with an Etonian background and networks.

I am not sure Classics is a big deal. Only public schools offer the subject now. I did Latin and Greek at grammar school. However, pass marks were high as only brighter pupils sat the exams. Lots of top jobs would be open to him whether he failed or not - rather like that Dido woman.

He is capable with the written word but hopeless at speaking - slow to react and tongue tied. He hides that with effusive bonhomie and avoiding serious, unscripted interviews. Posh buffoon was not a clever act; it was all he can offer.

He is not good with his personal finances - the type that will go through a lot of money and not have much to show for it.

The Pulsar watch is the least thing that need concern us.
 
I read an interesting article about him linked in the financial times I think a few months ago saying how he and so many of his Eton / Oxbridge cohorts were all to the manor born and their winding up at the top of the Con party was a foregone conclusion. Also that he begged his professor for a first class but was refused as he had skated through uni doing little more than the bare minimum.
Interestingly it may have been a different resource that stated he was a member of some poncey social club (Pop?) and Cameron was never invited to join (despite his pig’s head initiation shenanigans!!)
Bottom line being that they all got into politics because it was pretty much pre-destined for them regardless of their abilities in the field, and certainly not from any innate sense of wanting to make a significant contribution to society or effect positive change on their fellow humans etc.
 
Many people of wealth and power don't care about watches or dressing smartly. We can't really hold that against him.

True. Quite a few think it's a foolish irrelevance or distraction - or a waste of money.

I was reflecting today on what a "fad" or mania watches have become over the past 5-10 years.

When I first became interested in watches a couple of decades ago, very few people cared about watches. Of course, people knew Rolex, as it had brand recognition, but it was largely thought of as a brand for show-offs and tossers. TAG Heuer was popular, as were brands such as Tissot and Raymond Weil. One of my friends had an old IWC that had been given to him by his father, and another friend had an Omega "Ploprof" that had been a gift from his dad. However, the idea of having a "collection" of watches was ridiculous - you might have a dress watch and a regular watch, but that was it.

Nowadays, particularly over the past five or so years, watch collecting has exploded. Guys in their twenties have multiple watches, each of which quite possibly costs $10,000 or more, and they're planning to acquire more while obsessing over the latest release that's featured on Hodinkee. I know some guys - professionals, but not really wealthy - who have spent $100,000 on watches and yet are still planning on spending more. It seems utterly crazy to me.

Then, to add to that, there are waiting lists for the more popular watches, such as steel Rolex "sport" models, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. If you want one right now, you have to buy from the "grey market" and you will pay thousands of dollars above retail. In the case of Rolex, people are told to purchase a few other models that they don't really want, in order to become a preferred or trusted customer, so that they can then purchase the watch that they actually want.

And all this for a luxury item that they don't actually need.
 
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True. Quite a few think it's a foolish irrelevance or distraction - or a waste of money.

I was reflecting today on what a "fad" or mania watches have become over the past 5-10 years.

When I first became interested in watches a couple of decades ago, very few people cared about watches. Of course, people knew Rolex, as it had brand recognition, but it was largely thought of as a brand for show-offs and tossers. TAG Heuer was popular, as were brands such as Tissot and Raymond Weil. One of my friends had an old IWC that had been given to him by his father, and another friend had an Omega "Ploprof" that had been a gift from his dad. However, the idea of having a "collection" of watches was ridiculous - you might have a dress watch and a regular watch, but that was it.

Nowadays, particularly over the past five or so years, watch collecting has exploded. Guys in their twenties have multiple watches, each of which quite possibly costs $10,000 or more, and they're planning to acquire more while obsessing over the latest release that's featured on Hodinkee. I know some guys - professionals, but not really wealthy - who have spent $100,000 on watches and yet are still planning on spending more. It seems utterly crazy to me.

Then, to add to that, there are waiting lists for the more popular watches, such as steel Rolex "sport" models, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. If you want one right now, you have to buy from the "grey market" and you will pay thousands of dollars above retail. In the case of Rolex, people are told to purchase a few other models that they don't really want, in order to become a preferred or trusted customer, so that they can then purchase the watch that they actually want.

And all this for a luxury item that they don't actually need.
And on a similar point - I can remember in the late eighties or the early nineties discovering that Omega had made the famous ‘moon watch’ and curious as to why they hadn’t made a meal out of exploiting that in their advertising as it didn’t seem very explicit to me at all. Boy has that changed in the last several years with the way they make LE versions to commemorate a previous LE version of a previous LE version. I see they’ve just released another snoopy. I still haven’t figured out the connection between snoopy and an Omega moon watch, nor the reason why anyone would want one, and I don’t much care!
 
I see they’ve just released another snoopy. I still haven’t figured out the connection between snoopy and an Omega moon watch, nor the reason why anyone would want one, and I don’t much care!

Yes, that's the third Snoopy edition. The first one came out about 15 years ago and - like most limited edition moonwatches at that time - didn't sell well at all. Quite a few of them languished in shop windows and were sold for substantial discounts.

Then, in the age of Instagram, Omega released a second Snoopy about five years ago and it sold like hotcakes - people were immediately turning around and selling them for thousands more to slavering buyers waving handfuls of cash. Now the original Snoopy version has also risen in value, even though they couldn't find buyers back when it was released.
 
question for you guys - i need a cheap-ish beater watch after i broke the crystal on my victorinox. under or around $300 and 40mm or slightly larger. prefer a cleaner style dial. any recommendations welcome.
 
i'm kind of hot for this


expensive for a hamilton but it sure is pretty
 
i'm kind of hot for this


expensive for a hamilton but it sure is pretty
I like some chronos but the pushers on that look ridiculously oversized and the tach scale is completely pointless.
 
this is pretty sweet for under 1k

 
^Your choices seem to be pretty random, in terms of style - each watch that you've linked is quite different!

I do like Seiko, and their recent releases have included some great watches, such as this one:

seiko-prospex-200m-diver-automatic-sbdc105-made-in-japan-382_720x.jpg
 
^Your choices seem to be pretty random, in terms of style - each watch that you've linked is quite different!
cant argue with that. i was just looking at watches and posting randos that i liked. still looking for an under $500 that I can wear for a daily driver for work.
 
Since you already posted a Hammy, I’m guessing you saw the 40mm or 42mm khaki field auto. It screams ‘mall purchase’ to the watch snobs, but it is a great watch for the price.
 
Since you already posted a Hammy, I’m guessing you saw the 40mm or 42mm khaki field auto. It screams ‘mall purchase’ to the watch snobs, but it is a great watch for the price.
Yep im familiar. That and the jazzmaster are on the list.
 
You can call it what you like. Boundless confidence comes with an Etonian background and networks.

Not only Eton, all the English public schools breed a certain smug 19 year old bright young thing that's going places and will shake the world. Still always entertaining to meet an earnest young chap definitely going places.

Interestingly it may have been a different resource that stated he was a member of some poncey social club (Pop?) and Cameron was never invited to join (despite his pig’s head initiation shenanigans!!)

It was the Bullingdon Club, I posted the new song by Madness on the very subject the other day.

Nowadays, particularly over the past five or so years, watch collecting has exploded.

The internet has helped significantly in this. Everyone's sussed on watch brands now.

i'm kind of hot for this


expensive for a hamilton but it sure is pretty

Those Hamilton Panda chronographs are neat.

^Your choices seem to be pretty random, in terms of style - each watch that you've linked is quite different!

I do like Seiko, and their recent releases have included some great watches, such as this one:

seiko-prospex-200m-diver-automatic-sbdc105-made-in-japan-382_720x.jpg

The non-Ltd Editions Willard and 65mas are nicely priced considering the aesthetics are pretty much the same as the Euro 6,500.00 Ltd Editions.
 
When watch companies reissue ‘retro’ digital watches, I start feeling old!

 
As practical is it is, I just never really liked the look of the IWC metal bracelet. I’m trying a Crown and Buckle nylon Chevron strap. It’s highly adjustable and looks ok. Well made, though it could be a bit thicker. It’s a nice alternative to the ubiquitous NATO straps out there and the colors are nice. I’ll probably still be looking for something better, but this is alright until I find something I like more.

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As practical is it is, I just never really liked the look of the IWC metal bracelet. I’m trying a Crown and Buckle nylon Chevron strap. It’s highly adjustable and looks ok. Well made, though it could be a bit thicker. It’s a nice alternative to the ubiquitous NATO straps out there and the colors are nice. I’ll probably still be looking for something better, but this is alright until I find something I like more.

View attachment 35363

The Longines Pioneer Spirit's also look much better without the metal bracelets.

I'm in the market for a new watch today. Undecided: Tudor Black Bay, Longines Big Eye/1832 Perpetual Calendar/1938 Limited Edition/Conquest Heritage 41mm, Seiko Grand Quartz black or champagne dial in 40mm...
 
The Longines Pioneer Spirit's also look much better without the metal bracelets.

I'm in the market for a new watch today. Undecided: Tudor Black Bay, Longines Big Eye/1832 Perpetual Calendar/1938 Limited Edition/Conquest Heritage 41mm, Seiko Grand Quartz black or champagne dial in 40mm...
the tudor is ugly. the longines big eye is a bit too busy for me. never been a fan of the three dial chronos. the 1938 limited is nice but very simple. i think you could do better in that same style of watch. the conquest heritage is meh and so is the seiko. best of the bunch there is the longines 1832 perpetual calendar.
 
I like the 1938 a lot. It also seems to match your overall vibe more than the others.

Edit: that’s the first tome I’ve looked at their site in a while. The French Navy watch is interesting and I like the face of the vintage divers but not the hands.
 
the tudor is ugly. the longines big eye is a bit too busy for me. never been a fan of the three dial chronos. the 1938 limited is nice but very simple. i think you could do better in that same style of watch. the conquest heritage is meh and so is the seiko. best of the bunch there is the longines 1832 perpetual calendar.

The Perpetual Calendar is indeed an extremely handsome watch the face is salmon colored, but in the end....

I like the 1938 a lot. It also seems to match your overall vibe more than the others.

Edit: that’s the first tome I’ve looked at their site in a while. The French Navy watch is interesting and I like the face of the vintage divers but not the hands.

....I got the RAF Military Heritage. I discounted everything with the exception of that, the Perpetual Calendar, 1938 Ltd Edition and the French Navy watch.

All four are superb, it was a tough decision especially discounting the Limited Edition. The new French Navy one is particularly fetching with the blue superluminova hands.

I'll post some photos tomorrow.
 
What watch would John le Carre’s George Smiley own?

This question is a good example of Hodinkee running out of things to say.

Smiley was too early for quartz. He would probably wear an understated dress watch with a leather strap.

My guess is he would own something that is a canny buy that shows you cannot be bought.
 
^ I thought that the person writing the article was waaaay off target - there's no way that Smiley would ever buy a gold Patek, even if he could have afforded it.

Smiley would wear a simple steel watch, in all likelihood - maybe even a Smiths, or a mid-tier Swiss brand that later died off as a result of the quartz revolution. Ann would probably buy him a gold watch - but it wouldn't be a Patek. More likely a Cartier or JLC Reverso engraved with her name (much like the lighter he inadvertently ended up giving to Karla).
 
^ I thought that the person writing the article was waaaay off target - there's no way that Smiley would ever buy a gold Patek, even if he could have afforded it.

Smiley would wear a simple steel watch, in all likelihood - maybe even a Smiths, or a mid-tier Swiss brand that later died off as a result of the quartz revolution. Ann would probably buy him a gold watch - but it wouldn't be a Patek. More likely a Cartier or JLC Reverso engraved with her name (much like the lighter he inadvertently ended up giving to Karla).

A simple Rolex or a now defunct British watchmaker IMO.

Cartier and JLC would have been too dressy (I agree that may have been his wife's choice for him). In the books Smiley is a scruffy dresser...
 

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